(Effective until February 1, 2021) General principles and

jurisdiction. (a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in all fee arbitration proceed- ings. (1) ‘‘Chair’’ means the chairperson of the Fee Arbitration Committee, or the Chair’s designee. (2) ‘‘Client’’ means a person or entity who directly or through an authorized representative consults, retains or secures legal services or advice from a lawyer in the lawyer’s professional capacity. (3) ‘‘Committee’’ means the Fee Arbitration Committee. (4) ‘‘Decision’’ means the determination made by the panel in a fee arbitration proceeding. (5) ‘‘Lawyer’’ means a person admitted to the practice of law in Wyoming, or any other person who appears, participates or otherwise engages in the practice of law in this state, regardless of the status of his or her license. In these rules, the term ‘‘lawyer’’ includes a lawyer’s assignee. (6) ‘‘Panel’’ means the arbitrator(s) assigned to hear a fee dispute and to issue a decision. (7) ‘‘Party’’ means the client, lawyer, the lawyer’s assignee and any third person or entity who has been joined by the client or lawyer in the proceeding. (8) ‘‘Petition’’ means a written request for fee arbitration in a form approved by the Committee. (9) ‘‘Petitioner’’ means the party requesting fee arbitration. (10) ‘‘Respondent’’ means the party with whom the Petitioner has a fee dispute. (b) Establishment; Purpose. It is the Wyoming Supreme Court’s policy to encourage the informal resolution of fee disputes between lawyers who practice law in Wyoming and their clients and, in the event such informal resolution cannot be achieved, to provide for the arbitration of such disputes. To that end, the Wyoming Supreme Court hereby establishes through adoption of these rules, a program and procedures for the arbitration of disputes concerning any and all fees and/or costs paid, charged, or claimed for professional services by lawyers. 1